There’s breaking news out of Kentucky with scant details at this hour, on a shooting along that state’s part of Interstate 75, with “numerous persons” shot, and is being characterized as a “critical incident,” according to local and federal officials at the scene. A manhunt is underway for the suspect.
via CNN:
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in a rural area in Laurel County, Kentucky, located south of Lexington, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I-75 is closed at mile marker/Exit 49, and U.S. 25, nine miles north of London due to an active shooter situation,” the Laurel County Sheriff’s office said in a post on Facebook. “Numerous persons have been shot near I-75.”
Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said via social media the suspect “has not been caught at this time. We are urging people to stay inside.” Law enforcement will provide “as much information as it becomes available,” he added.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Louisville said in a statement its officers were responding and assisting the Kentucky State Police and local authorities with a “critical incident” near Interstate 75.
The Bluegrass state’s Democrat governor, Andy Beshear, remarked on the situation in an X post:
Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) September 7, 2024
The CNN report linked above notes that London is about 80 miles south of Lexington, KY. I-75 is a major artery of a highway, running north through the Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area, and onwards to Detroit, and south through Atlanta, to Miami:
Interstate 75 is a major transportation corridor, linking the Southeastern U.S. and the Great Lakes. I-75 connects several major metropolitan areas including Miami in South Florida, the Tampa Bay region, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville in Tennessee, Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.
Beshear added in another post:
The governor said he’s hearing “initial reports” from the state police and the state’s Office of Homeland Security.
“Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved.”
Join me in that prayer, too, readers.
This is a breaking story, RedState will provide updates as they become available.
